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Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) is a network of 49 civil society organisations spread across Nigeria, and committed to promoting police accountability and respect for human rights. It was established in 2000 to provide opportunity for civil society input to police reform, and the enhancement of safety, security and justice in Nigeria.
NOPRIN National Coordinator, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma has commended the President, Muhammadu Buhari for directing the new Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum Idris to reopen investigations into the numerous unresolved political and other killings in the country; he said it is an indication that the President is determined to ensure that justice is attained in these lingering cases.
Nwagunma pointed out that one of the key sources of the grave damage to the image of the Nigeria Police Force, and which has continued to portray the country in a very unfortunate light, is the failure by the police force to achieve one of its fundamental obligations to effectively investigate cases of politically-motivated and other controversial killings in the country with the view of bringing perpetrators to account and ensuring redress and justice for the victims.
According to him, the intrigues that have attended the investigation and prosecution of suspects in the Bola Ige case have exposed the police and the judiciary to unspeakable ridicule.
He maintained further that the contradictions and obfuscation in the different reports by the police and DSS in the case of the killing of Olaitan Oyerinde who was until his death the Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Adams , also did so much to create confusion and hindrance in the effort at unravelling the actual perpetrators of the dastardly killing and ensuring that they are brought to account.
However, Nwagunma added that considering the political motive and the complex nature of some of these killings, and the fact that the Nigeria Police Force remain under political control, which denies the Inspector General of Police the operational independence, hinders police professionalism and effectiveness, it would be appropriate to set up a judicial panel of inquiry, to independently and exhaustively inquire into these killings and make appropriate recommendations that would ensure justice for the victims, the perpetrators and the society.
